Gator Country provides five UCF Knights to watch out for in week six vs Florida.
QB KJ Jefferson #1
This is a name Gator fans are all too familiar with. KJ Jefferson makes his return to The Swamp after leading Arkansas to a 39-36 win over Florida in 2023. Jefferson passed for 255 yards and two touchdowns while running for an additional 113 yards and a score. The Gators struggled to bring Jefferson to the ground a year ago, so that’s a point of emphasis in week six.
Through four games with UCF in 2024, Jefferson’s completed 52-86 passes (60.5%) for 847 yards and seven touchdowns. He’s added 211 rushing yards and two scores on the ground.
UCF is a run heavy team that looks to push the ball deep down the field with play action passes, which they utilize on 43.3% of their passing downs. Jefferson’s offensive success plummets when the Knights aren’t using play action passes.
Jefferson has completed 30-41 (73.2%) of play action passes for 596 yards, six touchdowns and one interception. On non play action passes, Jefferson’s completed 22-45 passes (48.9%) for 252 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. His average yard per attempt drops from 14.5 to 5.6 while his average depth per target stays roughly the same.
The key to stopping Jefferson? Keep UCF in obvious passing downs so the defense doesn’t bite on the play action. Keep the Knights away from third and manageable and your defense will find success. That’s easier said than done when facing one of the better running backs in the country and a 6’3, 265-pound quarterback who is willing to put his head down and run through defenders for a few extra yards. Jefferson is involved in all elements of UCF’s run game, which makes Guz Malzahn’s run scheme very difficult to defend.
RB RJ Harvey #7
Senior running back RJ Harvey is likely the best player on UCF’s roster and one of the better running backs in college football. The 5’9, 208-pound Orlando native hasn’t missed a beat after running for 1,416 yards and 16 touchdowns a year ago. Through four games in 2024, Harvey has rushed 75 times for 525 yards and eight touchdowns behind a career high 7.0 yards per carry.
Harvey is patient runner that’s always looking for rushing lane to open up. He’s an above average athlete that make can defenders miss and get into the second level of defenses. Harvey has 18 runs of 10 yards or more this season, making UCF’s running game not only efficient but explosive. 319 of Harvey’s 525 yards are after contact. Harvey has great body control and displays the ability to change directions at a high level.
Harvey is also a threat as a pass catcher, ranking 2nd on the Knights in receiving yards with 126. He’s averaging 21.5 yards per catch.
WR Kobe Hudson #2
The only threat at wide receiver through three games as been senior Kobe Hudson, who’s hauled in a team high 15 receptions for 349 yards and two touchdowns. UCF will attempt to get single coverage on Hudson with play action passes and look for him deep down the field. Hudson’s average depth of target is 20.4 yards, 8.9 yards more than any other UCF receiver.
Hudson isn’t a guy that creates many yards after the catch, which in part is due to UCF’s offense and his lack of breakaway speed. The 6’1, 200-pound receiver has improved his ability to come away with contested catches, snagging 7 of 11 this season. Hudson works mostly between the numbers and does the majority of his damage 10+ yards down the field.
DT Lee Hunter #2
UCF’s defensive line has been a disappointment through four games. A unit that was expected to be the strength of the defense has only earned three sacks, which ranks dead last in the FBS. However, junior defensive tackle Lee Hunter has impressive burst and quickness for a 320-pound interior lineman, which makes him valuable as a pass rusher. Hunter has totaled eight pressures and three QB hits while posting a win rate of 26.7% on true pass sets, the highest on the Knights’ defense.
LB DeShawn Pace #3
Senior linebacker DeShawn Pace is an impressive coverage linebacker. The 6’2, 220-pound Ohio native has eight interceptions in his career including two in 2024. Pace grades as UCF’s top defender in coverage among players with 75+ snaps. His NFL passer rating against of 48.9 is the lowest on the Knights’ defense.
Pace is on the smaller side for an inside linebacker which hurts his ability to shed blocks and excel in run defense. The Cincinnati transfer is one of the better tacklers on UCF’s defense.